Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
Texas
15th April 2026
Together with

FlexPoint Brand Logo

THE HOT STORY

Turning Point USA sparks free speech debate

Republican leaders are promoting Turning Point USA chapters in public high schools, igniting a debate on free speech. Following the assassination of co-founder Charlie Kirk, at least eight governors have endorsed the initiative, claiming it counters the suppression of conservative voices. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: "It's never too early to learn the values of faith and freedom that power our country." Critics, including student leaders and civil liberties groups, argue that this endorsement favors one viewpoint over others, potentially violating the First Amendment. Tim Royers, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, questioned the fairness of the initiative, suggesting a double standard if a Democratic governor proposed a similar program. Turning Point USA maintains that students should not be blocked from forming their clubs.

BLENDED LEARNING

An Administrator's Guide to Blended Learning

Online learning doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Explore blended learning with this comprehensive guide from FlexPoint®, which includes:  
  • Worksheets to define your school’s needs
  • Outline of blended learning classroom models
  • List of questions to ask curriculum providers
  • Best practices for educator training
  • Instructional strategies and tips
  • Key benefits for you, students, and staff
Download the FlexPoint guide to find the right mix of face-to-face and online instruction for your school or district.  

Download Free Guide

 

FINANCE

Budget woes deepen for Cy-Fair ISD

Cy-Fair ISD is facing a growing budget shortfall, which is now projected at $33.7m for the fiscal year 2025-26, an increase of $20,000 since March. Chief Financial Officer Karen Smith highlighted declining enrollment and increased homestead exemptions as key factors contributing to the financial strain. The district experienced a 2.7% drop in enrollment, attributed to homeowners with adult children remaining in the area. Smith noted that the local homestead exemption has reduced property tax revenue by $72m. The proposed budget for FY 2026-27 anticipates a $73.9m shortfall, with various expenditure increases expected. A special board meeting is scheduled for May 21 to address these financial challenges.

Pflugerville ISD faces budget crisis

Pflugerville ISD is grappling with an anticipated $18.3m budget shortfall for the 2026-27 school year. To tackle this issue, district officials have collaborated with Civic Solutions Group to develop 12 optimization scenarios, which include options such as closing schools, rezoning students, and repurposing facilities. Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying: "With the proposals that have been presented and the projected cost savings, that's going to allow us to be able to get a plan in place." The district's financial stability is at risk, with a potential negative fund balance looming in the next few years. Community feedback is being gathered to inform decisions, with a vote on the proposed scenarios scheduled for May. If implemented, these changes could save PfISD $19.7m in operating expenses in the first year.

Friendswood ISD sets new fees

Friendswood ISD's board of trustees approved a new schedule of participation fees for the 2026-27 school year during their April 14 meeting. The fees, which will be charged per student activity, have a maximum limit of $300 per family. Individual fees are capped at $150 for Friendswood High School and $75 for Friendswood Junior High. The fee structure is divided into two tiers: Tier 1 ($100-$150) includes sports like football and basketball, while Tier 2 ($50-$75) covers activities such as cross country and wrestling. The funds will support costs for referees, judges, travel, and equipment. The district collected approximately $185,000 in participation fees during FY 2025-26, contributing to the general fund, according to district documents.

DISTRICTS

Argyle ISD's growth spurt

The Argyle ISD is rapidly expanding, prompting changes to its growth plans. Starting in 2027, students in grades 5 and 6 will attend the under-construction Michael Bloom Intermediate School, which was initially designated as an elementary school. Superintendent Courtney Carpenter emphasized the need to address current challenges without over-building, saying: “How do we meet the challenges for today without over-building and under-utilizing facilities?” The district's four elementary schools will be reconfigured to serve pre-K through 4th grade by the 2027-28 school year. Additionally, the New Argyle Middle School, opening in the 2028-29 academic year, will accommodate 5th through 8th graders. With the student population projected to nearly double from 6,500 to 11,000 in a decade, Carpenter aims to manage growth effectively and avoid the pitfalls faced by other rapidly growing districts.

Killeen ISD considers new math curriculum

Killeen ISD is set to decide on adopting the Bluebonnet (K-5 Math) curriculum for kindergarten and first grade at one campus for the 2026-27 school year. The district received a $627,000 grant from the TEA's LIFT program, which mandates the curriculum's implementation. If approved, the program will initially be implemented at Willow Springs, with potential expansion to grades six through eight at four additional campuses. The board will review this proposal at its April 28 meeting.

GOVERNANCE

HISD schools to gain more freedom

In the 2026-27 school year, Houston ISD plans to implement a new management framework that will grant schools greater autonomy over curriculum, scheduling, and staffing. Superintendent Mike Miles presented this framework to the board of managers on April 9, emphasizing a shift from "defined autonomy" to "earned autonomy." This new model will allow high-performing schools to have more control while maintaining the New Education System (NES) for lower-performing campuses. Miles stated: “Now that we've had three years of data and instructional focus, we can move forward.” The framework includes five levels of autonomy, with Level 5 schools receiving "full autonomy" after achieving four consecutive "A" ratings. However, Board Vice President Angela Lemond Flowers raised concerns about the potential challenges of managing multiple autonomous schools.

New superintendent search kicks off

San Antonio ISD trustees are set to collaborate with WorkTogether Talent Consulting to find a new superintendent, following Jaime Aquino's retirement announcement. The district will invest approximately $52,500 in the search firm, aiming to appoint a successor by July 1. Board Vice President Christina Martinez emphasized the importance of a "very broad search," considering candidates beyond current superintendents. Longtime board member Ed Garza suggested consulting the Texas Education Agency during the selection process. Principals Mandie Holtsford-Suarez and Jennifer Zavala advocated for an internal candidate, highlighting the advantages of familiarity with the district's needs.

New principals announced for Killeen ISD

Killeen ISD has announced the appointment of six new secondary principals for the 2026–27 school year. This leadership rollout aims to enhance the educational environment and support for students. The district is committed to fostering a positive learning atmosphere, as indicated by the new appointments.

WORKFORCE

Northwest ISD boosts teacher salaries

Northwest ISD's board of trustees unanimously approved a new compensation plan during the April 13 meeting, ensuring at least a 2% salary increase for teachers and district staff. According to Kim Barker, assistant superintendent for human resources, the district aims to maintain competitive compensation compared to neighboring districts. The starting salary for new teachers will rise to $64,750, up from $61,500 last year. Additionally, paraprofessionals will see a 5% increase, while counselors and librarians will receive a 2% raise. Special education teachers will benefit from stipend increases, with a total budget impact of approximately $7m.

Back to the classroom: A professor's journey

Nathan A. Stevenson, Ph.D., an associate professor of special education at Kent State University, emphasizes the importance of professors engaging in substitute teaching to maintain their connection with K-12 education. He notes: “It is easily one of the best decisions of my career.” By stepping back into the classroom, Stevenson sharpens his instructional skills, combats “Ivory Tower Syndrome,” and builds better relationships with students and teachers. He believes that this experience enriches his teaching methods and enhances the quality of instruction for his adult students. Despite the challenges of balancing his university responsibilities with substitute teaching, he advocates for all education faculty to consider this practice, stating that the benefits are invaluable.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New Caney Elementary celebrates new beginnings

The New Caney Elementary School is set to unveil its new 110,000-square-foot facility this summer, with a celebration scheduled for May 15. The construction, which began in late 2024, cost approximately $47m and was funded by a $695m bond package approved by voters in May 2023.

New high school breaks ground in Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs ISD officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for High School No. 2 on April 13, near Cypress Springs Elementary School. 

HEALTH & WELLBEING

HISD students face health crisis

According to a new report from Rice University's Baker Institute, over one-quarter of Houston ISD students do not eat breakfast weekly, contributing to higher obesity rates compared to the national average. The study revealed that more than 20% of HISD students are obese, and only 16% meet the recommended daily exercise of 60 minutes. “Childhood is when people develop habits around food, and ensuring that those habits are healthy from an early starting point can really have dividends down the line,” said Katharine Neill Harris, co-author of the study. The report highlights that nearly 80% of HISD students are economically disadvantaged, limiting their access to healthy food and physical activities. Harris suggested that HISD could improve this situation by enhancing access to on-campus sports and extending food programs into the summer months.

EARLY EDUCATION

Travis County invests in child care

Travis County is making significant strides in expanding affordable child care through the Raising Travis County initiative, which was approved by voters in 2024. The county has allocated over $28m to various organizations, including Workforce Solutions Capital Area, to enhance child care services. The initiative aims to provide 1,000 scholarships for children up to 3 years old and improve quality at 150 child care providers. Future plans include offering contracted slots for low-income families and addressing nontraditional child care needs, as approximately 18,000 children under age 6 require care during evenings and weekends.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

New Braunfels schools buckle up!

The New Braunfels ISD has unveiled a two-phase initiative to equip all school buses with three-point seatbelts by September 2029, in accordance with Senate Bill 546. This legislation mandates that Texas school district buses must have seatbelts that secure both the lap and shoulders of all passengers. Cesario Flores, the district's Director of Transportation, presented the plan to trustees during a board meeting, emphasizing the importance of this safety upgrade. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Universities under pressure to rename buildings

Universities across the U.S. are facing increasing pressure to remove names of major donors linked to Jeffrey Epstein from campus buildings. Students, survivors, and faculty argue that donations are tainted by Epstein's associations. Notably, Ohio State University and Harvard are reviewing requests to rename buildings named after Les Wexner and others. At Harvard, students are targeting the Leslie H. Wexner Building, citing Wexner's “strong ties to Epstein.” The growing push for renaming reflects a broader backlash against figures associated with Epstein, as universities grapple with the moral implications of honoring such donors.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe